Senate Votes To Kill Repeal Of Obama-Era 'Net Neutrality' Rule

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to kill a Federal Communications Commission rule that repealed the Obama administration’s ban on internet providers blocking or slowing down certain content.

Back in December, the FCC repealed “net neutrality” rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic.

The Obama-era rule prevented providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from interfering with internet traffic and favoring their own sites and apps. Critics, including the Trump administration, said over-regulation was stifling innovation.

Three Republicans joined with Democrats in voting to repeal the FCC rule that was scheduled to go into effect next month. The final vote was 52-47.

Senate Democrats secured a win on net neutrality Wednesday afternoon in a showdown on the chamber floor, a development they believe will stir up passion among young voters ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

Republicans Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and John Kennedy (Louisiana) crossed party lines, joining the Senate's full Democratic caucus in a 52-47 floor vote. That meant approval for a resolution that would undo the FCC’s 2017 repeal of Obama-era net neutrality rules. That GOP-led rollback, set to take effect June 11, targeted rules that prevented broadband providers like AT&T and Comcast from blocking and throttling internet traffic.

The late addition to Murkowski and Kennedy expanded what had been a razor-thin margin of victory. Before Wednesday afternoon, Collins had been the sole Republican pledging to vote with the Democrats, giving them the 50-49 simple majority they needed for victory in the absence of John McCain (R-Ariz.).

With an at least nominally bipartisan victory secured — but most Republicans still opposed — the measure's backers hope it will drive momentum going into election season.

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